Its good that you point that out, yes there is a difference in learning about who you are as a person and being on a quest to find acceptance. In reality your not going to find this so-called acceptance within anybody else, you have to find it within yourself. Identity is not an issue. I was BORN HoH, I called myself hearing impaired because I didn't know any better, and it was in reference to the title that hearing people give to those who can't hear as well as them. When I was first introduced to this concept, I really thought about it, I have always lived my life without giving a 2nd thought about my hearing loss as a real setback in my life because...well it isn't a setback. So knowing this, implying that there's something "impaired" about me is irrelevant. That is what I FEEL 
That is "discovering" that the original term hearing impaired does not apply to me. So the answer is no, I am not regurgitating others peoples concepts an ideas, a person who does that has no true sense of self. I develop my own ideas and opinions about different aspects of life based on experiences and by challenging my own way thinking. Also you used the term "self discovery mission" I don't feel there is any specific time period, in which a person is intensely focused on identity, unless they are indeed very insecure about who they are. It is important to note that we never stop learning a little bit here and there about ourselves as we continue to live life.
Thank you for your feedback
